The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-30
ABOUT THACKERAY
Some Personal RscollsCtiOns Of the Genial
English Writer
Some Touching Anecdotes OF the Great
Novelist and PhiIosopher-At His
Best Among tho Little Ones.
Chicago Herald.

when i first recOllect seeing Mr.. Thackeray,
writes Henrietta Corkran in Temple Bar.
We lived then in Paris, as my father was
The Paris correspondent of several English
newspapers. Ny mothers evening recap
tions were very popular; her salon was the
rendezvous where the artistic and literary
celebrities met In order to converse. Con-
versation was at that period almost hne
art; men and women enjoyed causerle, ard
they knew how 10 talk. Among the many
interesting people who gathered round my
Gather and mother none made such vivid
impression on my childish imngi-
nation as Thackeray. He is the
central figure which stands out
in bold relief from the dim surround.
ings. can distinctly recall the big white
head, the rosy face and the sweet, sammy
smile which positively illumined his
countenance and made 1t almost beautiful
4 grew even TO love the broad, broken
nose and used to wonder how a boy, at
any period, could have been so wildly au-
dacious as 10 punch that feature. won
dered at the softness and gentleness OF his
voice and manner, and why so great an
author should care 70 come among as lit
Ale children In such a simple, friendly
way. He had a formidable appearance,
being over six feet high and broad In
proportion. We children we're like pill
grims clustering around the knees OF Brob-
dignag. Mr.. 1hackeray was our favor
lite giant. But evidently he was not too
tall or TOO great TO take an interest In our
childish games. How often has he sat
among MS, inquiring tenderly about my
dolls. He remembered all their names
and had made out genealogical tree, 30
that every poupee has distinct history oil
her own.
Late one afternoon. after having told US
delightful stories, Mr.. Thackeray remarked
that he must leave at once he was 50 terri
bly, hungry. We coaxed him 10 remain,
and told him that We really could give him
nfood dinner.
There is nothing. my dears, YOU can
give me-" he answered, with funny little
sigh, "for / could only eat the chop OF a
rhinoceros or a slice from an elephant"
Eyes tan, exclaimed my three-year-old
sister We saw her disappear into a big cup
board. She emerged few seconds after
with a look of triumph on her fat little
face, holding in her hands little wooden
rhiDocerous and an elephant from her
Noah's ark, and putting the two animals
on q plate, she handed them with grea'
gravity to Mr.. Thackeray. Never can
forget the look OF delight on the great
mans face; how he laughed and rubbed
his hands with glee; and then, taking the
child mp In hls arms, kissing her. remark.
ing, "Ah, little rogue, you already knoW
the value Of a kiss"
Then he asked for a knife and fork
smecked his lips, and pretended TO deYouI
The elephant and rhinocerous.
Another time when Mr.. Thackeray called
we children were in bed. i was the only
one not asleep. had been listening to his
pleasant voice, talking to my father and
mother In the Rsalon. when our bedroom
door was cautiously opened, and in
marched Mr.. Thsckelay, my mother fol
lowing him, holding a candle. There were
three little iron beds in arrow; i saw him
smiling at us and then putting his baud
4 Il. l.. T..
the distribution Of medals" and chuckl
ing. he deposited on each of our pillows a
bright five.franc piece, remarking:i "Prec-
1ous little ones they will think the farie:
have been here"
One afternoon, as was taking a walk
with my father in the Champs Elysees
we met Mr.. Thackeray, and he stopped tc
have talk. Some public character was
mentioned-l forget who, but evidently
some one Thackeray disliked, for he Ger.
tainly poured forth torrent of strong,
scathing words. / had never seen him be-
fore look angry or speak in a vexed man.
Dfr, 90 was rather frightened. While
talking noticed that Mr.. Thackeray':
eyes wandered toward q poor, delicate
woman holding in her arms little child.
She was leaning for support against tree,
and was evidently in great restitution.
Without making any remark he walked
up to the woman, inquired into her con-
dttion, and on learning her troubles
slipped into her hand teveral small silver
pieces.
Mr.. Thackeray often made as little ones
laugh heartily with his droll stories and
ways. He one day spied my crinoline
which was on chair in the nursery; lac
examined it carefully and to my horror
put his head through the aperture, and
walked into the drawing room with II
round his neck, looking like Michael
Angeles statue OF Moses.
81 aman ogre now' he exclaimed. nIm
agine, NV dears, that have a cropped red
head, blue eyes and big lunnettsi" And
forthwith he related TO US wonderful adj
ventures, making us laugh and cry, Just 81
he wished.
few years later we came to live In
London; my father, through no fault oil
his own, lost a lucrative appointment in
Paris; il was period OF anxiety; my sec
ond sister fell dangerously i'll. Mr.
Ihackeray's goodness and kindness to uI
all were beyond words. He called nearly
every Gay at our house In Thistle Grove
himself bringing delicacies of all Sorts to
tempt the APPETITE OF my invalid sister
His cook, who was Gordon blood, hal re.
ceived orders to exert her culinary powers
TO the utmost. and she made the moss ex
quisite dishes and jellies. I remember /
note from Thackeray to my mother, with
The words "A Last Appeal written IL
capital letters, begging that the jelliel
should in The future De made with ole
sherry or the best Madeira. The doctor
had ordered claret. One day Thackeray
came to our house carrying
rug OF bright, pleasant and cheerfu
colors under his arm, which he himself laiC
down on the floor of my sisters room
thinking ii would tend TO raise her spirits
With children he was always delightful
with older or with unsympathetic peopit
he could be satiricsl, cold aud cynical
He one day remarked 10 en- Acquaintance
in my hearing that he only liked second
rate books, second rate women, but hTst
rate wines"
Mr.. Thsckersy had talent for drawing
but be was never satisfied with any of hi
y chievements. Ny father called upon hin
one morning and found him fretting owe
q drawing of his owl.
Look" be said. NOW O.. (mentioninl
some clever draughtsman) by q few
touches. throwing some light or shadow
here and there, would make this picture
How it is, know not, but certainly can
not do IL at all"
My father, who was full of intellect
which Thackeray fully appreciated, was
shy. dreamy, unobtrusive man, with
great deal Of pride, and, perhaps, over
sensitiveness. Ia his time of trouble
Thackeray was more than q brother Il